Chapter 344: The Year-End Competition

Chapter 344: The Year-End Competition

In a secluded peak of the Fire Branch...

In the quiet room, intense waves of spiritual energy emanated from within, distorting and blurring the air. Sitting cross-legged on the bed in the center of it all was none other than Lin Langtian, the Fire Branch's top disciple. Suddenly, powerful surges of spiritual energy burst from his Niwan Palace, rising with such force that the sky outside began to cloud over ominously.

If a Symbol Master had been present, they would have recognized this as the fearsome Wind and Thunder Tribulation, a Symbol Master's nightmare. The sky above roiled as thunderclouds gathered, snaking with silver lightning.

"Boom!"

In a flash, a bolt of lightning the width of an arm tore through the sky, striking down toward Lin Langtian with blinding speed. The room flashed as the lightning hit, making his body shudder, and arcs of electricity danced across his skin in an almost dazzling display. His face contorted briefly in pain before he quickly forced himself to endure it.

After returning to Yuan Gate, Lin Langtian had immediately gone to his residence to harness the full potential of the newly ripened Heavenly Symbol Spirit Trees, using their energy to reach a breakthrough. Having absorbed five of them, his spiritual power was finally reaching new heights.

More thunderbolts struck, roaring down like a storm, pounding for ten straight minutes until, with the last bolt, the clouds finally began to disperse.

"Phew!" Lin Langtian felt his body gradually return to normal as the last remnants of lightning subsided, leaving him invigorated with his newfound power.

Opening his eyes, Lin Langtian's gaze flashed with a piercing brilliance, the air around him pulsing with strength. He had finally achieved the rank of a Seven-Seal Symbol Master and, combined with his current Eight-Yuan Nirvana stage, he now held enough power to rival the strongest disciples of any top sect and could even stand among the elites of his generation.

Reflecting on his recent trip to the Blood Horn Region, he felt the reward had been well worth the risk. Besides harvesting a bounty of Wood Spirit Crystals that had sped up the ripening of his Azure Wood Tree and Heavenly Symbol Spirit Trees, he had obtained the third map fragment and, as an added boon, gained a Rotation Stage bodyguard.

Remembering the Celestial Essence Tree branch he'd received from Ren Yuanzi, Lin Langtian let the cold, steel-like branch appear in his hand. Turning it thoughtfully, he asked, "Aunt Ling, can you remove the energy signature on this?"

Recalling the hidden signature Ren Yuanzi had left on it, he couldn't shake the feeling of being constantly watched.

"Certainly," Aunt Ling replied, "but it may not be wise to remove it. If Ren Yuanzi notices it's missing, he'll know something is amiss. I'd suggest masking the signature instead. This way, even if he tries to track you, he won't find it so easily."

"A sound plan," Lin Langtian agreed, feeling a wave of relief. Being monitored by a Rotation Stage expert was unnerving, but masking the signature would keep him safer for now.

As he was about to resume his training, the loud sounds of conversation outside drew his attention. Rising, he went to investigate.

Outside his room lay a tranquil courtyard where over a dozen disciples sat in wait. As he opened the door, they turned, their faces lighting up with visible excitement.

"Senior Brother Langtian, you're finally back!"

Seeing Mo Tie and the others eagerly crowd around, Lin Langtian caught the genuine concern and relief in their expressions. A warm smile spread across his face as he reassured them, "Don't worry, I'm fine—I returned safely."

The disciples relaxed visibly, nodding in relief. "That's a relief," Mo Tie said with a nod.

"So, did anything happen while I was away?" Lin Langtian asked, hoping to move the focus from himself.

"Not much," Mo Tie replied, "but Zhang Hao has been spreading rumors that you were killed by the Shadow Seven since he returned a few weeks ago. He's been pushing us around while you were gone, but with his status, we couldn't do anything about it."

"Zhang Hao again…" Lin Langtian's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of cold intent flashing in them. In the Blood Horn Region, he'd wanted to take care of Zhang Hao quietly, but circumstances had gotten in the way. However, with Zhang Hao provoking him yet again, Lin Langtian made a mental note to add him to his "must eliminate" list. There would be other opportunities.

"Oh, by the way, Senior Brother," said Ling Zhi, "the Year-End Competition for the Fire Branch is about to begin."

"That's right," added Liu Yuan. "In five days, all ten thousand disciples of the Fire Branch will be tested. With your strength, Senior Brother, I'm sure you'll do well."

"Yeah, the rest of us new disciples will just be going through the motions, but if you could win a Spirit General rank, that'd be amazing!"

"Indeed! With Senior Brother's talent, I bet he could easily aim for the rank of Spirit General next year."

"And once Senior Brother is a Spirit General, we'll all gain more recognition. It would be a big step forward for us in the Fire Branch."

Seeing the fervor on the disciples' faces as they discussed the competition, Lin Langtian felt a spark of motivation stir within him.

The annual Year-End Competition was about to begin in Yuan Gate, a sect where only results and strength determined one's place.

Typically, any disciple who could defeat Ling Chi in the competition could take his place as Spirit General of the Fire Branch. For disciples like Mo Tie, seeing Lin Langtian qualify to challenge a Spirit General within a year of joining was remarkable. But Lin Langtian's plan was even bolder; he intended to challenge Ling Chi in the competition and replace him as Spirit General. He had the power to make it happen.

Lin Langtian didn't share his ambitions with Mo Tie and the others. Instead, he pulled out a few pouches filled with resources—spoils he had taken from the Shadow Seven—then handed them to Mo Tie and the other disciples. These items were of little use to him but would be invaluable to them.

While Yuan Gate was resource-rich, Mo Tie and the other new disciples were often bullied by Zhang Hao, leaving them struggling. Lin Langtian's gifts were timely and helpful.

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" They beamed as they accepted the pouches, expressing their gratitude.

"No need to thank me. We're brothers, after all," Lin Langtian said, clapping Mo Tie, Ling Zhi, and the others on the shoulder. "But with the competition starting soon, you should focus on improving your skills. Let's aim for good results."

Mo Tie and the others had potential despite their current limitations. If he succeeded in replacing Ling Chi as Spirit General, he would need loyal allies—and these disciples who had followed him since the ancient battlefield were the ideal candidates. After talking for a while, Lin Langtian returned to his quarters to resume training. He was determined to claim the Spirit General position.

…

Time passed quickly, and five days later, the Year-End Competition finally arrived.

At the center of the Fire Branch's mountains stood an enormous peak shrouded in heat and flame that spiraled into the sky. This was the central hall, the heart of the Fire Branch, and the place where the Year-End Competition was held each year.

The Year-End Competition was a longstanding tradition in all eight branches of Yuan Gate, where disciples' progress was evaluated to motivate them and increase the strength of their branch. Each year, the competition also allowed outstanding reserve disciples to earn official positions in the Fire Branch, and it sometimes led to the promotion of Fire Branch disciples to the ranks of personal disciples or even the appointment of new Spirit Generals.

Over ten thousand disciples were gathered in this vast, towering peak, creating an impressive sight.

At the peak's summit was the Fire Branch's grand crimson hall, its imposing architecture standing amidst clouds with a brilliance that resembled leaping flames. In front of this grand hall stretched a vast stone square, its tiers filled with disciples. Though thousands crowded the space, there was a quiet tension, an intense calm that seemed to ripple through the air itself.

Closer to the center of the square sat the official disciples of the Fire Branch, their presence a source of envy for the reserve disciples, who aspired to join their ranks one day.

Deeper within the square sat rows of elevated platforms, where hundreds of disciples in red robes sat, emitting powerful waves of energy. These were the Fire Branch's personal disciples, the elite among them. Seeing these disciples, the reserve disciples' eyes filled with respect. They knew that becoming a personal disciple of the Fire Branch was an honor in itself.

Yet the most attention-grabbing figures were not even these elite disciples. In the innermost part of the square stood eight towering platforms, each occupied by a single seated figure. They held positions above all other disciples, their status clear to all and beyond dispute.

These eight figures were the most exceptional disciples in the Fire Branch, known as the Fire Branch's Eight Great Disciples.

Among them, Lin Langtian, recently promoted to personal disciple status, sat cross-legged on a nearby stone platform. As the fastest-ever personal disciple in the Fire Branch, his reputation had spread quickly. Many glanced at him with admiration and respect.

Not far away, Zhang Hao, another personal disciple, glared at Lin Langtian with undisguised hatred. He'd been sure Lin Langtian was dead in the Blood Horn Region, only to see him return alive. He cursed the incompetence of the Shadow Seven, the so-called top assassins of the Blood Horn Region.

Meanwhile, on the first of the eight towering platforms, Spirit General Ling Chi turned, casting Lin Langtian a meaningful look. His red eyes flashed with a hint of challenge, as if recalling Lin Langtian's earlier claim about subduing the Primal Chaos Demon Flame.

Lin Langtian, however, remained calm, maintaining an indifferent expression. The upcoming Year-End Competition would be his chance to make a lasting name for himself in Yuan Gate. By defeating Ling Chi, Lin Langtian would not only secure the Spirit General position but also gain access to the Primal Chaos Demon Flame and elevate his status within the sect, preventing future sabotage attempts from people like Mu Ku.

In some ways, the title of Spirit General held authority nearly equal to that of a Branch Deputy.

As anticipation grew, the disciples' quiet chatter filled the square, and the excitement became palpable. At the head of the square was a row of stone chairs where the Fire Branch's leaders—Burning Cang, Yan Ba, and other officials—were seated, surveying the scene.

Finally, as the sun reached its zenith, Branch Leader Burning Cang rose to his feet. His gaze swept over the square as he announced in a booming voice that echoed across the mountain:

"The Fire Branch's Year-End Competition officially begins!"

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